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Abstract:

This is a net 405 and net frame 401 system which can be used to skim for
oil, whereas the Netting 405 is designed specifically for a Net Frame
401. When skimming or trolling out beside a vessel or boat 300, the
Netting or Net Bags 405 are made of a porous material and or weaving so
to allow the water to pass through, but the oil. Because the oil cannot
pass through, it is therefore is collected or trapped in the netting. The
Net Frames 401 can resemble a simple crab traps and the Net Bags 405 can
be attached in a similar way as a kitchen pale or like a trash bag in a
trash can. Once the net bags 405 become filled with skimmed oil, they can
be taken off, cinched or secured, and the thrown away or hauled off
(etc.) while another fresh bag is put on or replaced. The old bags are
towed to a dumping location where they are: disposed, cleaned and reused,
burned, etc.

Claims:

I. What is claimed is a net frame 401, which is, (a.) a simple frame made
from materials such as: aluminum, PVC, steel, titanium, etc. (b.) and
formed or shaped for skimming oil and or put together using screws,
wields, glue, etc. (c.) and made with some added part around the opening
for holding or attaching a net bag 405, (d.) and made so that can be
connected to a hoist 402 similar to the hoist on a crab or shrimp boat
hoists, poles, and or riggings, (e.) and made so that they can be pulled
or trolled through the water with a part of the net frame 401 just above
the water line while the other part is below the water line allowing for
the oil to be collected and contained in the nets inside the frames, (f.)
and used in a way so that when the net bags 405 are filled, the bags can
be taken out, cinched, and another put in its place easily so to continue
trolling. (g.) with a opening at one end holding the net bag 405 open,
and having the option of having the net frame open or closed in the rear,
so that the whole net bag is in the net frame or so that a portion of the
net bag hangs rearward beyond the net frame:

II. What is claimed is a Net or Net Bag 405, (a.) made from a material
such a mesh, wire, nylon, etc. and (b.) and having a weaving and or
porous make-up which when used to troll for oil, the water is allowed to
pass through but not the oil, (c.) and made to fit on the net frames 401
so that they attach at one end with and are held open by the net frame
401 while the closed in can either be inside the net frame or hanging or
extending beyond the net frame. (d.) having the option of having a
drawstring attached so that when the nets are filled with oil they can
easily be cinched and dragged behind a vessel to a collection location
and or hoisted via hoist 402 into a container, etc. (e.) having the
option of being made specifically for a net frame 401, but for both to be
made in any size and or shape, (d.) having the option of using the Net
Bags and Net frames in a trolling or skimming situation in a way similar
to a trash can and trash bag where then filled, a bag can be taken out of
the net frame 410, cinched, removed, and another new net bag replaced,
while the filled bags are pulled behind the vessel and or another vessel
comes and pulls away the filled bags taking them to a disposal location.

III. A net 405 and net frame 401 system is a system for skimming which
can be used to convert fishing vessels 300 operated by area fishermen so
to help or assist in the oil spill clean-up efforts, (a.) so that they
can be employed while their fishing locations are out or primarily shut
down due to a spill, (b.) so to utilize all the possible vessels on
location to assist in the spill containment, (c.) to utilize the local
fishermen who have knowledge of the area in spill containment, (d.) to
have more options for use in environmentally sensitive areas where new
methods for collection are needed, etc. (e.) so that the local fisherman
can troll with the nets 405 and net frames 401 attached to their vessels
in a similar way and with a similar technique as they normally use when
trolling or trawling for fish, crab, shrimp, etc. with their own nets or
traps.

Description:

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] This non-provisional patent application is based on and claims the
benefit of the prior provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 61/397,214
filed on date: Jun. 7, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of The Invention

[0002] This non-provisional utility patent application is a new invention
of a Oil Skim Netting 405 and Net Frame 401 shall be used as trolling or
skimming options and or techniques for cleaning up oil and or contaminant
spills in any body of water. This new invention is applicable for
cleaning up oil spills in or from water in a more environmentally
friendly way than by using much of the traditional equipment, processes,
and or responses.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] This is a non-provisional utility patent application is for a new
invention used for cleaning up oil spills in a body of water such as:
oceans, rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, ditches, canals, etc. For this
application, the term `oil` will be used to describe oil and or any
contaminant having a specific gravity less than 1.0.

[0004] Recent spills and mishaps have led to search for new and better
methods to clean up oil spills. Current methods simply take too long, are
not effective or efficient, and or do little to actually separate the oil
from the water. Other tools and equipment currently used, such as
dispersant, can actually do more much harm to the environment than they
are meant to solve. There are obvious deficiencies in the efforts used to
date. Therefore, the need exists for adding new options and better oil
spill clean-up equipment.

[0005] This invention is for a new type of netting 405 and net frames 401
which can be used for trolling, skimming, and or trawling. It is possible
that this invention can be deployed by local fishermen, affected by the
spill, who are accustomed to skimming, trolling, and or trawling in the
same waters the spill is located in. This Netting and Net Frame system
can easily be built and or added to several different kinds of shrimp,
crab, etc. fishing vessels so that they can be converted on site for use
by the fishermen and local people who are affected by the spill, so that
they can be employed to help and clean up the spill.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

[0006] One of the traditional or current method and or approaches for the
oil clean up process has been to place large `containment booms` out in
the water. The `containment booms` are objects which float on top of the
water, they are set in formations to direct the flow of oil to collection
areas, and act as a barrier between the non-contaminated water and the
actual oily or contaminated water. These booms do little to actually
separate and or clean the water. The booms are flimsy at best, and they
are mostly a passive system that require a lot of man hours to operate.

[0007] Another method or approach to the spilled oil has simply been to
use the booms to help gather the surface oil into a form or clump, and
then perform a method called a `controlled burn` or `in-situ burn.` The
controlled burn simply sets the over-contaminated or oily water on fire.
The highly concentrated oil contaminant is on the water surface, and it
is flammable. The controlled burns are very dangerous, as the enormous
amount of oil virtually is surrounding every vessel out in the water.

[0008] A third method or approach that has been to date is to building
`man made islands` which are meant to separate the oily water from the
delicate shorelines, swamps, marsh, etc., as well as to protect some
other areas from the oily water. This type of process is very expensive,
and it may cause unknown future problems. There are simply a lot of
unknowns and variables associated with this type of relief operation, and
the process would be expensive while doing nothing to separate the oil
from the water.

[0009] The other inventions or techniques that have been used for past oil
spills and similar contamination areas have been to spread human hair,
animal hair, and or use other `Bio` materials on the water to absorb or
`eat` the oil. Also products like cut grass and hay have been spread on
the surface of the water, as well, hoping that they will absorb the oil
(and or contaminant). This process works for some contaminants, but this
process can simply be overwhelmed by the amount of oil leaked out, and
the possible contaminants already present on the actual hay, hair,
grasses, etc. such as weed killer or pesticides can often do more damage
to the environment than the oil. For spills associated with large amounts
of oil or contaminant, there just isn't enough hay and hair on hand to
get the job done.

[0010] Other options for dispersing the oil have been attempted. Oil
companies have used what is referred to as a `dispersant` to contain or
control the oil. Dispersants are usually spread by a airplane and or
sprayed from ships. Dispersants are usually a liquid soap or other types
of chemicals which can mend to the oil so that the oil forms clumps. This
has sent workers to the hospital, and it has led to the workers having to
wear actual gas masks as they work in the heat cleaning up the water.
There are many unknowns related to the dispersants. Some of the unknowns
are the current, short, medium, and long term effects of the chemicals on
the fish and or any wetlands in the regions. Because the dispersants are
usually spread by airplanes, there are also concerns for the birds and
other flying species in the area as well.

[0011] Skimming techs and or equipment have also been used, and skimming
is still needed and very useful. The skimming techs usually or normally
consist of using deeper hulled vessels and trolling with or pulling a `J
shaped` Boom, `V shaped` boom, or `teardrop shaped` boom so that the
booms help funnel the oil at the base of the (for example) `V`; and then
the oil is suctioned out using some kind of throw pump which is tossed by
the crew into the boom area. The pump sucks the oil from the water into
containers in or on the vessels. Skimming is a good and often
environmentally friendly way to clean the oil from the surface, however
with the current vessels there are some places that the booming cannot be
done or operate in due to the deeper hulls on the vessels. Also, there is
a limited amount of oil that each vessels can take in.

[0012] When large spills happen, it often calls for hundreds of ships to
skim for oil. New types of skimming vessels are needed that can take in
more oil. And, new vessels and or new equipment are needed that have more
shallow drafts which allows them go into more shallow waters,
environmentally sensitive areas, and or swamps, marshes, near shoreline
and shoreline areas, etc. to get pockets of oil. This non-provisional
patent application will show a suitable invention which can hold large
amounts of oil, they can be used from and or added to local vessels or
boats normally used in the area where the spill is located for fishing;
and many are more nimble and can even go in super shallow waters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] DRAWING 1 shows a exploded view of a Net 405 which allows water to
pass through but not oil.

[0018] DRAWING 6 shows a exploded view of a net frame 401 with the opening
on the left side.

[0019] DRAWING 7 shows a left side view of a vessel 300 trolling two nets
405 inside net frames 401 on both sides of the vessel.

[0020] DRAWING 8 shows a overhead view looking down on several vessels in
a clean up operation. One vessel is pulling smaller nets and net frames,
while two vessels are pulling one huge net 405 (A) and net frame 401 (A)

[0022] DRAWING 10 shows a overhead view of two vessels 300 A and B pulling
a huge net 405 and net frame 401.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] This is a non-provisional utility patent application for a new type
of oil spill skimming and collection system simply referred to in this
application as a Net and Net Bag 405, and Net Frames 401; but called the
Crouse Oil Spill Trolling Net and Net Frames. The nets are made up of
porous fabric or material which has pores large enough to allow water to
pass through but not oil. The net frames 401 are simply to hold the nets
405 so that the nets are open at one end where the oily water enters and
then closed at the other so that the oil gets collected as the water
passes through. The nets and net frames are very simple to use, they can
be any size, and the net bags 405 can be made to work just like a trash
bag and trash can. When the bag gets filled, you just simply take the bag
off the net frame, and put a new bag in the frame and begin skimming
again. The old bags can be dragged to a dumping location or hoisted into
a tank, etc.

[0024] There are numerous materials and fabrics than are possible to be
used for the netting, some are: mesh material often used for lawn
furniture, wire screens used for making screen windows and doors, nylon
netting, etc. There are numerous materials that can make up the net
frames 401, and some are: aluminum, PVC, steel, titanium, carbon,
fiberglass, etc. The frames and nets can be made any size, but because
the oil is spilled in areas where fishermen normally work, and those
fishermen will most likely be out of work due to the oil spill; the
fishermen can be employed to clean up the spill. Because of this the net
frames can be made especially tailored for the particular fishing vessels
in the area.

[0025] The Drawings in this application are to show some possibilities for
the net frames 401 and netting 405, but the designs can be altered for
size and shape depending on the vessels used, and for tailoring to a
specific water area or depth, etc.

[0026] Drawing 1 shows a exploded view of a piece of Netting 405 fabric
which shows the weaving or porous material allowing only the water 102 to
pass through, but not the oil 101.

[0027] Drawing 2 shows a open ended at 405 (B) net bag 405 having a
drawstring 421 where the bag can be easily taken off a net frame and
cinched. Also, the net bag has little loops around the entrance, a
example being at 409, so to attach to a net frame (not shown).

[0028] Drawing 3 shows a net frame 401 with a net bag 405 attached and
positioned inside the net frame. This particular version or design has
the net bag hanging out of the rear, and with no backing. Other net
frames are made with a backing and similar to a crab trap.

[0029] Drawing 4 shows a overhead view of a vessel 300 with a net frame
401 A and B similar to a shrimp vessel rigging and having net bags 405 A
and B attached to the net frames; and being trolled through the water and
skimming oil with the top part of the net frame at just above the water
line while the rest of the net frames (both) are below the water line.
The hoist 402 can raise and lower the nets and net frames.

[0030] Drawing 5 shows spotters used to spot the oil, such as blimps 602,
helicopters 601, planes/drones 603, and satellites to mark the GPS. The
nets can troll the waters blindly or the slick can be spotted with GPS
coordinates given to the vessel crew so that the vessel 300 can go and
skim exact locations and use the nets and net frames to collect the oil
out of specific areas. Using spotters along with the nets and net frame
skimmers, a greater skimming efficiency can be achieved.

[0031] Drawing shows a net frame 401 similar in shape to a crab trap. The
opening is at the left side. Also in this drawing is floaters 404 to help
the net frame float at a height just at or above the water line. One
method for connecting the frame is to wield or glue, screw, etc. the ends
together at points 411, examples 411 A and B and C. Loops for net
connection are shown at 409 so that the Net bag (not shown in this
drawing) can be attached. The bars, example 419 can be used and built
into the frame to help and contain the netting. This type of Net frame
can use net bags 405, or it can have permanent netting that can be
suctioned out when filled, etc.

[0032] Drawing 7 is a really good example of a crab trap style net frame
401 having nets 405 and trolling or skimming using a transformed crab or
shrimp fishing boat using hoists 402 to raise and lower the net frames
and nets. Also, filled bags have been cinched and are shown at locations
405 A and B, as they are being towed to a collection area for off loading
where they will be thrown away, burned, suctioned out and re-used, etc. A
crab trap frame can be a simple aluminum frame that is 6 foot by 6 foot,
8 foot by 8 foot, etc.

[0033] Drawing 8 shows a overhead view of two types of nets and net frames
working at once. The net frames can be made many sizes with different
front end opening shapes. In this drawing, vessel 300 B and 300 A are
shown pulling net frame 401 A and 405 A. Also, fishing vessel 300 C is
pulling a crab traps style net frame and netting system. These vessels
are working alongside a barge skimmer in or within a process.

[0035] Drawing 10 shows vessels 300 A and B using booms 777 A and B to
help funnel oil 101 into a huge skimming net frame 401 mouth and net 405.
The net captures and oil 101 and allows the water 102 to pass through.